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Poor parenting can lead to increased bullying risk for children
Children who are exposed to poor parenting are at an increased risk of childhood bullying, according to study results published in Child Abuse & Neglect.
“General practitioners should routinely enquire about parent-child and peer relationship,” researchers wrote. “Intervention programs that target children who are exposed to harsh or abusive parenting may prevent peer victimization.”
The meta-analysis study included 70 studies of more than 200,000 children to find the effects of poor parenting on children who are a victim or perpetrator of bullying.
Researchers found that victims and those who both bully and are victims (bully/victims) were less likely to live in a family with positive parenting, including good communication with parents, warm and affectionate relationship, parental involvement and support, and parental supervision (victims, Hedge’s g=–0.19; 95% CI, –0.23 to –0.15; bully/victim: Hedge’s g=–0.33; 95% CI, –0.41 to –0.26). However, victims and bully/victims were more likely to have negative parenting, including abuse and neglect (victims: Hedge’s g=0.26; 95% CI, 0.16-0.36; bully/victims: Hedge’s g=0.48; 95% CI, 0.26-0.70).
Researchers also found that children who were overprotected were likely to be victims (Hedge’s g=0.10; 95% CI, 0.03-1.17).
Researchers said parental training programs may help strengthen supportive involvement in children’s lives to improve family relationships to prevent or reduce victimization by peers.
“People often assume bullying is a problem for schools alone, but it’s clear from this study that parents also have a very important role to play,” they said in a press release. “We should therefore target intervention programs not just in schools, but also in families to encourage positive parenting practices such as warmth, affection, communication and support.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.